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Hi I too was diagnosed with IDC of my right breast with multiple tumors the largest being 3 cm. My MRI only showed one area of the left breast but after having an extensive family history of cancer I made the decision to do bilateral mastectomy. When my biopsy report came back we were all surprised that there were 3 additional tumors in my left breast all approximately 1cm but in my "healthy" right breast that I fought doctors to remove they found a 6mm DCIS. So my decision to remove both breast was definatley the right decision for me. Had I listened to some of the doctors who knows how large the cancer would have been by the time it showed up on a scan. I had expanders put in at time of surgery and had my permanent implants put in in November. And I go to do my nipple reconstruction May 8th. I have to say I am very happy with my reconstruction and often wonder what it would have looked like if I only had done the left. I think I am much happier with the symetry and I have no nagging feelings or worries that cancer could be growing in my right breast. I know there is always that small chance of recurrence in the approx. 6% of tissue left but it is a huge relief for me! I have thought through this whole journey to do the most aggressive treatment offered to me so that I may never have to go through this again. I wanted to give the best chance at me being here to raise my two boys 3 and 8.
DX 1/2006 age 36
Stage 2 IDC multi-focal/centric (left br. 4 tumors largest 3cm) (rt.breast 6mm DCIS)
no nodes in sentinal node bx
blood lymphatic invasion
grade 2
Her2 + IHC borderline FISH 2.1
BRCA2+
Bilateral mastectomy 2/28/06 expannders placed
4x AC, 4x taxotere & herceptin
Herceptin every 3 weeks til July 2007
Lupron injections and Arimidex 5 years
11/06 had permantent implants placed
all scans clear
plan to have total hysterectomy this spring
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